Eastpointe makes getting some information easier

Tax, assessing, building permit information available on the Internet

By April Lehmbeck

C & G Staff Writer

EASTPOINTE — Looking up homeowner or business information, like whether someone pulled a permit to build an addition to their home or office, is now as easy as the click of a mouse since the city has added options to its Web site.

It’s something other communities have done, and Eastpointe has decided to make getting information about property taxes, assessing and building permits easier to obtain, which also frees up the city departments that handle those requests, said Finance Director Susan Mancani.

And they’re not done yet.

“Hopefully, in the future, I’m looking to add online payment for taxes and water [bills],” Mancani said. “We’re working toward that next step.”

The city started making the tax, assessing and building permit information available March 2. The city usually fields calls from title companies, residents and others looking for this type of information. Now, information, like tax payment history for the last four or five years, is available online.

“They can actually check anybody’s tax information as long as you have an address or a parcel number,” Mancani said.

Residents have been asking that the city’s Web site include more information, City Council member Ron Selvidge said.

“Putting tax information on the Web site is just one way of improving customer service for our residents,” he said, adding that the upcoming payment options “will help residents that find it difficult to come to City Hall.

“I would like to commend Sue Mancani and her staff on a job well done,” he said.

Mayor Pro Tem Veronica Klinefelt agreed that this is a good step in the city.

“The city is trying to become more ‘user friendly,’” she said. “The changes being made on tax and water payments are intended to make life easier for our residents.

“We still have a long way to go on improving what is available on our Web site, but administration is working on that issue,” she said.

You can reach April Lehmbeck at alehmbeck@candgnews.com